The Asolo Theatre Company NEWS
March 10, 2005
Media contact: Julia Guzman / 941-351-9010 Ext. 4800 / Julia_guzman@asolo.org
* High resolution images are available for this event.
Asolo’s Ambassador’s Society Induction Ceremony and
A Midwinter Night’s Dream Masked Ball Gala Boast Huge Success
Dazzling Masks, Inspired Decorations, and Big Band Music Awe Attendees
Sarasota, Florida – The grand ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota was a literal sea of feathery masks as more than 300 guests attended the Asolo Theatre Festival’s A Midwinter Night’s Dream Masked Ball Gala on Friday March 4, 2005. The first annual Asolo Ambassadors Society Induction Ceremony preceded the Gala in the Mira Mar room where honors were bestowed upon a special group of Asolo supporters to an invited audience of nearly 100.
The Ambassadors Society function began at 6:00 p.m. with Asolo board president Michael Hartenstine introducing and speaking about each inductee, and Cary Findlay presenting them each with a commemorative medallion. With an emotional display of appreciation, Carolyn Michel – longtime resident Asolo actor – thanked the Ambassadors for their continued support, which she said, “has made it possible for the Asolo to bring to this community the finest live theatre, provide wonderful educational programs to school children, and also to sponsor one of the nation’s finest MFA acting conservatories. We are eternally grateful for this support.” A professional photographer was on hand to record the event. (Professional quality photos available by request)
Starting at 7:00 p.m., FSU Conservatory students Ken Ferrigni, Aaron Kliner, Devon Pipars, and Sarah Stockton, costumed in Elizabethan garb and donning ornate masks, greeted guests as they arrived. A musical duo performed at the entrance, with Rex Willis on classical guitar and Lisa Barbanera on flute. Willis, an internationally recognized musician, is a member of the faculty at Manatee Community College (MCC). Barbanera is also a member of the MCC faculty.
Upon entering the grand foyer, guests mingled, enjoying cocktails and wine as servers passed among them with trays of petit beef Wellingtons and salmon canapés. Adding to the glitter was a wide range of silent auction items from wine baskets and silver to jewelry and art work.
Promptly at 8:00 p.m. trumpeters sounded the call to dinner and the doors to the grand ballroom opened. Guests immediately heard the sounds of the DeLeon fifteen-piece Society Orchestra and saw a canopy of twinkling lights. The dance floor filled up immediately as guests danced to Broadway show tunes.
The fantasy inspired ornamentation added an ethereal quality to the “Dream” theme of the evening, wowing guests with a magical display of lighting and table decorations that transformed the room into an Elizabethan wonderland. Centerpieces by the Redman Steel Floral Design Studios of St. Petersburg, Florida, awed partygoers as elegantly displayed tall, glass vases filled with bamboo shoots, orchids, white roses and gauze graced each table. Affairs in the Air, a local party planning company, designed and created the spectacle of lights that crowned the room.
During dinner Asolo board president Michael Hartenstine welcomed guests and the Gala co-chairs Linda Roe Dickinson, Janet Kane and Joan Mendell. After which live auctioneer Cary Findlay took over and began accepting bids for a trip to Egypt to be led by Malaka Hilton of Admiral Travel, and the “Singing Chef” – a sculpture by Jack Dowd. Auctioneer Findlay finished the live auction with visits to Washington, D.C. hosted by Congresswoman Katherine Harris; a portrait by Stanislaus Kostka; and a Far East cruise donated by Admiral Travel. Live auction proceeds, which will benefit Asolo education and artistic programs, exceeded expectations.
Following dinner Hartenstine introduced Mrs. Esther Mertz, a long time major financial supporter of the Asolo, and other members of the “Asolo Ambassadors Society” – a newly-formed group of individuals honored for their support of the Theatre since its inception in 1960.
The dancing continued on into the night. A special DeLeon
Orchestra treat was a mini-concert version of Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Phantom of the Opera. One 1960’s tune they played, Howard Millman recognized as being on the song list of Menopause The Musical ™, which the theatre will present this May.
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